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AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

AA Car Inspections inspect the car from the inside out. We can look at second hand cars that you’re thinking of buying from popular websites such as Done Deal, CBG.ie and Carzone and report back to you on the same day.

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Saab 9-3 ( 2002)

73/100

our score

Pros

Styling & Design

Jazzy facelift

Engine Specifications

Huge range

Performance

All perform well

Ride & Handling

Great chassis

Interior & Ergonomics

Mostly fine layout

Space & Practicality

Space, esp Combi

Safety

Supremely safe

Value & Running Costs

Cheap BioPower

Quality & Refinement

Acceptable ride

Equipment

Well equipped

Summary

Handsome, swift, sure-footed.

Cons

Styling & Design

Getting old

Engine Specifications

Thirst

Performance

Needs 4WD

Ride & Handling

Traction

Interior & Ergonomics

GM bits

Space & Practicality

Tight legroom

Safety

Not much

Value & Running Costs

Resale value

Quality & Refinement

Cheap GM plastic

Equipment

Odd combos

Summary

Slow steering, poor resale value, plastics.

Style & Design

7/10

A fully overhauled version of the original the Saab 9-3, the new models got a bolder front end and other minor exterior changes in 2007. It's no better looking, to be honest, though it does stand out more. Drab flanks are slightly at odds with dashing new looks.

Performance

8/10

The basic 1.8 is rather pedestrian while the 1.8t is only bearably quick. It's not until you get into the 2.0t and 2.0t BioPower that proper acceleration becomes available (7.5/7.9 seconds to 100km/h). The diesels are real-world quick, as is rather pointless V6 Turbo.

Ride & Handling

8/10

The 9-3's mid-life revisions have transformed the way the 9-3 handles. The chassis is balanced and playful on the throttle, the ride quality is decent and it feels planted on the road but now the steering is quicker and more talkative than before. It's a genuinely good steer these days.

Interior & Ergonomics

6/10

The 9-3's interior is slowly getting more sub-standard GM parts (like the stereo) with the result that it's less distinctive as Saabs of old. The ergonomics suffer as a consequence, too, and while the driving position is still excellent the steering wheel remains too big.

Quality & Refinement

7/10

Saab's quality should be improving but instead its stagnating and, in places, getting worse. The new GM spec stereo is particularly grim and the plastics haven't improved since the original car was launched in 2002. Refinement has improved and the seat are superb.

Safety

9/10

The 5-Star Saab 9-3 (saloon and cabrio, tested in 2002 and 2003) boasts six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters and ESP on all models. Cornering Xenon lights, automatic lights and wipers feature on many models.

Space & Practicality

6/10

No changes in terms of interior room. The front-seat passengers still have lots of space but it remains bit snug in the rear in terms of legroom. The Combi is a smidge roomier in the back and offers more luggage space, too, obviously, while the Cabrio has two proper kid-sized rear seats.

Value & Running Costs

7/10

On the face of it the Saab 9-3 isn't bad value but come resale time you'll get stung. Running costs aren't any lower than any other premium brand so make sure someone else is paying for it. Private buyers should only consider VRT-rebate BioPower models.

The engine range looks huge but it's the same engine in various states of tune. Our favourite is the 2.0t BioPower which is more powerful than the regular 2.0t (200hp vs 175hp) and is cheaper thanks to VRT rebate. 1.9 TiD, 1.9 TTiD and 2.8T V6 engines are excellent but too costly.